does anyone know of any products available to fill small dings without extensive sanding or refinishing. I put a small ding in the top of my L-05 and it's not that bad but, it bothers me . I was wondering if it can be filled with clean nail polish or some thing comparable.thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

I feel your pain. My OM-03 has a single dent in the top where the case lid fell down and the catch left a mark. It is tiny, but deep. I guess the live with it suggestion is the best, time heals the pain a little.

The only way to fix a ding in the finish (not into the wood) is to do a drop fill with cyano glue, scrape, sand, polish, buff. That is on a poly finished guitar NOT a nitro finish. With a nitro finish you would drop fill with lacquer. I would get a professional to do it if you've never done this before. Your L05 is a poly finish BTW.

If you really can't stand to look at it, I am sure there are several forum volunteers to accept a gift and ignore the ding.Top dings are tough to repair, probably just best to live with it.I tried once to fix a ding on the back of the neck, but wound up making a bigger mess.You might want to take to a professional for assesment and/or repair.Good luck...

Hey- I just went through this with a Guild I bought on eBay that was dinged up during shipping (extra bridge pins got loose in the case and gouges resulted). I was surprised how difficult it was to get someone to fix it. I think some shops are afraid to try to "touch-up" tops because it's hard to get it "perfect" and they don't want you (the customer) to be unhappy. I had some go as far as to say the only way is a total refinish (which is expensive and devalues the guitar).

So I guess you can ask around, or just accept the battle wound.Good luck.

Logged

Three Larries and a Guild and an A&L...and electrics...and a mando

“Your lack of technique can be part of your style. The thing about style is that it’s more entertaining, more important and hopefully more intellectual than technique.” Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)

I wasn't going to pipe in on this but pennerblue brought it up.Please learn to live with this.Touch up jobs are my least favorite jobs.Most people don't want to hear a pro say its just a ding live with it.Yes if you've ever done one refinishing would be easier.Blending take's forever and someone is always going to say"it stands out like a sore thumb".

Logged

A REPAIRPERSON,Still UnclrobOM03PAFavorite saying OB LA DE OB LA DA,LIFE GOES ON---BRA,It is what it is,You just gotta deal it,One By One The Penguins Steal My Sanity*Eat The Rich*, Keith and Barefoot Rob on youtubeStill unclrob#1912 people ignoring me,so coolwww.rpjguitarworks.comCall PM me I may b

If you really can't stand to look at it, I am sure there are several forum volunteers to accept a gift and ignore the ding.Top dings are tough to repair, probably just best to live with it.

regarding the above suggestion... Ironically, I think that those who are self-described as "anal" should be the ones to consider buying used guitars.the line between idiosyncrasy and neurosis is a fine but fuzzy one.Thankfully, I don't suffer from this (I have my own set of "issues") but if I did I think that rather than live in constant fear of an incident, better to get one where the incident is a pre-existing condition.While I really, really like my guitars, I prefer the music that I make with them even more. I suppose this is not a choice for most of us [that is, we are wired a certain way and it is difficult to re-wire ourselves]. But if you need that perfect, "as new" condition for your prized possession, pack it away and get yourself a beater to play. I did this with a Rickenbacker 330/12 about 12 years ago. It still has the tags on it. I could sell it "used" for twice as much as I paid for it new back then. But i didn't buy it to play. (now if only my retirement investments had done as well...)

To simplify this,and add some real perspective(meant in the best of spirits,btw)...

Why noy just ask the lucky/elated owner of a 300 year old,2 million dollar Strad violin if he'd trade it in for the "latest perfect" instrument from "today's best" luthiers,in that genre.I can guarantee you that "those" have a good bit of mojo on them,and the owner's could care less for the most part.....You'll better appreciate your lovely and still valid instrument.Be happy,and put more emphasis on your musicianship and musical growth.

I wasn't going to pipe in on this but pennerblue brought it up.Please learn to live with this.Touch up jobs are my least favorite jobs.Most people don't want to hear a pro say its just a ding live with it.Yes if you've ever done one refinishing would be easier.Blending take's forever and someone is always going to say"it stands out like a sore thumb".

Mark,

I realize you probably didn't want to hear this, but short of a complete refinish, you're better off living with it. I've heard is referred to as the guitar exhibiting a wee bit of "character"